Whether you eat to live or live to eat, everyone suffers from a gastrointestinal tract infection at some point or the other. This can range from acidity and mild indigestion to diarrhoea and stomach ulcers. Digestive problems can make day to day life uncomfortable and in some cases become embarrassing as well. Thankfully, most gastrointestinal tract infections can be treated and cured easily.

Stomach and digestive problems spare no person. At times, the stomach disorder is of a short duration and at other times longer. Both stomach and digestive problems indicate that there is something inherently out of order and the body needs immediate help. The discomfort that accompanies stomach and digestive problems can hinder life s activities and become an embarrassment too. Homeopathy has a cure for both stomach and digestive problems. The natural Homeopathic remedies for stomach and digestive problems are not only of great help in getting rid of stomach problems but also eliminate the root cause of the digestive disorders. The Homeopathic treatment is completely safe with zero side effects and proves to be of immense benefit in the long run.

When it comes to such infections, homeopathy is a form of medicine that is preferred by many. This is because it has negligible side effects and can be prescribed for children and adults alike. Homeopathy treats not only the physical symptoms exhibited by the patient but his or her overall physical, mental and emotional health. Some homeopathic remedies used to treat digestion problems are:

Nux Vomica- This is considered the  go to  remedy for almost all stomach problems. It can be used to treat heartburn, constipation, indigestion etc. It also relieves bloating and a sense of fullness after eating a heavy meal.

Pulsatilla- This homeopathic remedy can be used to deal with the gastric trouble that results from excessive consumption of fatty foods and for the treatment of loose stools. Most people who benefit from this medicine showcase an absence of thirst.

China- China helps relieve bloating caused by excessive gas in the abdomen. This bloating may also be accompanied by severe abdominal pain. Diarrhoea that is a result of eating fruits and that causes extreme weakness can also be treated with China. China can also be used to treat loose stools that are accompanied by blood.

Arsenic Album- Gastric troubles caused by food poisoning can be treated with Arsenic Album. Some of the problems it addresses are nausea, vomiting, stomach aches and loose stools. In such cases, the patient may also complain that the discomfort worsens on eating or drinking anything and may experience a burning sensation in the stomach.

Lycopodium- Homeopathic medicine for stomach feeling full after eating very little. Sometimes a person may feel full even though he or she has eaten very little. Lycopodium is the ideal remedy for this problem. It is also used to treat acidity caused by the intake of starchy food and gas in the stomach that causes burping.

Ipecac- This homeopathic remedy can be used to treat persistent nausea or simply an extremely nauseating feeling. This nausea may or may not be accompanied by other gastric complaints.

All About Gastrointestinal Tract Problems

Hyper acidity (Amlapitta) is also called Acid Dyspepsia, which is one of the most common problem. Hyperacidity is a condition in which stomach secretes excess amount of acid.

Hyperacidity is very closely associated to Amlapitta in Ayurveda which is caused by the imbalance of agni or the digestive fire leading to the vitiation of pitta dosha.

Causes of Hyperacidity:

Hurry ,  Worry , and  Curry  are the three main reasons for the disease.

Diet (Ahara)

Spicy fried junk food

Carbonated drinks

Excessive use of chilly, mustard, garam masala powder (spice mixture), garlic etc. in diet

Salty and sour foods like chips

Eating of stale, fermented foods (dosa, uttappa, idli, dhokla etc. bakery food items).

Excessive intake of fast food

Excessive intake of Oily foods, pickles

Excessive intake of tea/coffee.

Lesser intake of water

Irregular meal times

Skipping meals

Repeated food intake (before the digestion of the previously taken food)

Incompatible food like taking non-veg with milk, sour fruits with milk, pizza followed by milkshake

Eating too late at night

Regimens (Vihara)

Lack of rest

Fast moving lifestyle.

Insufficient sleep at night.

Sleeping immediately after meals.

Sleeping in daytime

Mental factors

Stressful lifestyle
Excessive anxiety

Anger

Other causes of acidity include:

Medications: Some anti-inflammatory drugs, when taken for a long period of time can develop chances of hyperacidity.

Drinking alcohol

Smoking

Pregnancy

Obesity

Fasting

All the above factors result in an excessive increase of  Pitta dosha  in the body and exhibits symptoms of amlapitta.

The condition of Amlapitta is explained with a simile just as milk is poured into curd pot immediately attains sourness and gets into an inspissated form. In the same way, repeatedly eaten food gets improperly burnt and causes acidity.

Signs and symptoms

Vomiting

Loss of proper taste of food

Loss of interest of food

Headache

Heart &chest burn (retrosternal burning)

Sour or bitter test in mouth and belching.

Nausea

Throat burn

Regurgitation of food or sour substance

Gaseous distention/ bloating of abdomen

Pain in abdomen

Chest pain

Foul smelling loose motions.

Burning sensation over feet, hands

Mouth ulcers

Fatigue (especially in legs)

Tiredness

Fainting

Ayurveda has explained 2 main types of amlapitta:

Urdhvag Amlapitta: Mainly characterized by vomiting due to upward movement of pitta 

Adhoga Amlapitta: Mainly characterized by loose motions due to downward movement of pitta.

Investigations

If there is chronic hyperacidity, following investigations are useful:

Gastroscopy (Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)

Barium Meal x-ray

Gastrin levels in blood

Serology + histology for H. Pylori

Stool routine examination

Complications 

If not treated at the proper time or if faulty diet, regimen and habits continued, it can complicate as

Gastric Ulcer
Chronic Gastritis
Duodenitis
Prevention

 Prevention is better than cure  it is better to avoid all the causative factors of acid-peptic disorders (amlapitta).

Avoid excessive salty, oily, sour and spicy foods

Avoid heavy and untimely food

Avoid smoking and alcohol intake

Avoid overcooked, stale and contaminated food

Avoid fried and junk food items

Do not skip meals

Avoid fast

Do not overeat

Avoid untimely and irregular food habit

Avoid foods containing excess amount of garlic, salt, oil, chilies etc. very often.

Avoid toor dal, horse gram, fenugreek

Avoid lying down immediately after food

Avoid, smoking, alcohol, tea, coffee and aspirin type drugs

Follow the meal times

Take Light food, Coconut water, articles having cooling properties

Take vegetables like white pumpkin, cucumber, leafy vegetables except Methi

Take Wheat, old rice, green gram

Fruits like gooseberry, dry grapes (black resins), black grapes, pomegranate, fig, dry fig, custard apple.

Take adequate amount of fluids like pomegranate juice, amla juice, kokam syrup.

Medicated water with ushir (wala) or coriander-cumin seeds or tulsi seeds (sabja) or laja (puffed rice). 

Take Warm water.

Take Moravla (jam made from amla), gulkand (jam made from rose petals) 

Take One teaspoonful of ghee with warm milk

Take adequate sleep

Exercise regularly

Avoid stress

Follow mental relaxation techniques like meditation, Yoga and Pranayama

Medical management

As the disease is of Pitta origin, all measures are undertaken to pacify pitta.

Some important drugs useful in Amlapitta

Shatavari, Yashtimadhu, Amalaki, Sunthi, Guduchi, Ushir, chandan shankhabhasma, suvarnamakshik bhasma, pravalpishti, sariva, bhunimb etc

Some important Ayurvedic Medicinal Preparations are helpful when taken under proper guidance

Kamdudha Rasa 

Sutashekhar Rasa 

Prawal Panchamrit 

Shankh vati

Bhoonimbadi kwath

Avipattikar Churna

Shatavarighrit etc

'Panchakarma procedures' like Vamana (induced vomiting) or Virechana (induced loose motions) whichever is needed as per the symptoms should be administered. In chronic cases, Asthapana basti (medicated enema) is indicated.

Hyperacidity And Ayurveda!

The acids help the body dissolve the food particles and also break it down to more basic elements. However, when the body produces too much acid, it causes acid reflux which can cause discomfort. Too much acid within the body, which is also known as hyperacidity, can be caused by a multitude of factors.
Known and effective ayurvedic cures
Ayurveda considers acidity to be a'pitta' problem and it can be corrected by following certain simple steps. There are other food ingredients which are also used as remedial tools. Let's have a look at some of the dos and don'ts of ayurvedic remedies for acidity.

Don'ts for acidity according to ayurveda
1. Limit junk food and other foods, which are very heavy in fats and processed items: most processed foods and junk food usually made in stores contain unhealthy fats. The stomach needs to produce more acid in order to digest them and thus may end up causing acidity.

2. Stop excessive consumption of tea, coffee: stop consumption of caffeinated beverages such as tea, coffee and other caffeine injected drinks which may encourage the production of more stomach acids.

3. Stop the consumption of alcohol and cooperates: apart from being generally bad for health as both of these are known contributors of cancers, they can even affect smaller day to day functions and can lead to acidity.

4. Don't consume foods which are high in acidic content: if you tend to like food which is very high in acidic content, it is advisable to limit its consumption. Some examples of this are:

1. Vinegar
2. Curds
3. Pickles
4. Tamarinds
5. Sour citrus fruits
6. Salty fried foods

Dos for acidity according to ayurveda
There are multiple solutions for acidity in ayurveda which have been known cures for generations. Let's take a look at some of these.

1. Do have meals on time: it is best to not skip meals as this can cause the acidity levels within the stomach to rise if it doesn't have any food to digest. It is especially harmful to skip breakfast and then have a heavy lunch to compensate.

2. Do have amla or indian gooseberry: this is a very effective weapon against acidity and chewing a few morsels will easily cure the problems in your stomach.
Pomegranate juice: very small quantities of pomegranate juice on a daily basis will be very beneficial for a bad case of acid reflux.

3. Coconut water: drink coconut water as it is known to have properties to neutralize the stomach acids.

4. Aniseed: also known as saunf, you can chew them raw and slowly swallow with water for quick relief from acidity.

5. Jeera: jeera consumed with warm ghee and then mixed with rice tends to be very good for acidity as well.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Acidity

The problem of acidity occurs when the gastric glands of the stomach release extra acid, i.e. hydrochloric acid. This acid helps in the breakdown and digestion of eating food and when the extra hydrochloric acid is produced, that is when the problem of acidity arises. 

Types of acidity

Two types of acid reflux are

Upright acid reflux: Every hour when you are sitting throughout the day, upright acid reflux occurs.
Supine acid reflux: This form of acid reflux generally happens at night when the acid flows twice in the esophagus. Throughout the night time, we usually relax ourselves, so the acids are likely to go upside down. Visit a doctor before your supine acid reflux gets worse.
Symptoms of acidity:
Dyspepsia and heartbeat are the major symptoms of acidity. Heartburn usually occurs when you have your meal and is more irritated if you are involved in heavy weight lifts which result in stomach pressure.
Although you can experience different forms of acidity, symptoms of both types can be common. General symptoms of both the upright and supine Acid Reflux include ulcers, sinusitis, dysfunction, tooth decay. Chronic Supreme Reflux can cause chronic pain in the chest, long-term damage to the arms and jaws, stomach and respiratory tract.

Treatment for Acidity
There are seven ways to help treat your acidity:

Maintain a healthy die as maintaining proper habit is important. The consumption of spicy, processed food, pebbles, and high-fat food is not recommended. Eat slowly and chew your food properly.
Quit smoking and avoid alcohol consumption, as it increases heartbeat problems.
Diagnose yourself and meet a doctor. Some clinical trials to be conducted include X-rays, blood tests and endoscopy.
Some tips that you can follow to prevent insult include: (A) Avoid exercising with the entire stomach (B) Do not wear tight fitting clothes while sleeping (C) If you go to bed at least three Wait hours ago.
Your body weight also plays a crucial role. The weight of the extra body is pressured on the lower esophagus (LES) sphincter, which can weaken it over time. If LES fails to shut down correctly, then you are likely to experience from acid reflux.
Long-time acute stress and anxiety can cause acidity. You can follow some relaxation techniques to deal with stress and anxiety.
Dietary supplements available in health food stores and drug stores such as calcium and digestive enzymes can reduce the acidity.
Most of us can understand that acidity is a superficial issue, but when it gets spoiled it causes serious health issues such as an ulcer. Therefore, it is suggested to be attentive to the symptoms and moves forward a suitable remedy for acidity, positively.

Acidity - 7 Tips To Help You Control It!

Acidity is an ailment that troubles most people regardless of the absence of any other medical condition. It causes discomfort in the chest region along with heart burn and indigestion. If you are distressed with acidity, you may consider undergoing Ayurvedic treatment which would help in alleviating the problem to a great extent.

1. Tulsi leaves:
  Tulsi leaves help in stimulating the stomach for production of more mucus and are also rich in anti-ulcer properties which cause a significant reduction in the effects of gastric acid.
  It is recommended to chew 5 to 6 clean Tulsi leaves when you have acidity to soothe the stomach.

2. Bananas:
  The potassium content in ripe bananas helps in eliminating sudden bouts of acidity.
  Bananas also aid in relieving constipation problems and cause healthy bowel movement.

3. Cumin seeds:
  Cumin seeds which are commonly used in cooking dishes have anti-inflammatory properties that aid in soothing the digestive tract.
  These stimulate saliva production, boost metabolism and relieve the problem of bloating along with other discomforts caused by gastric troubles.
  You may chew a few cumin seeds when troubled with acidity or boil them in water and drink the solution.

4. Cold milk:
  The richness of calcium in milk aids in reducing acid problems and absorbing the acid which has already been produced.
  It helps in providing instant relief from the burning sensation owing to its coldness.
  But it is important to drink it plain without any additives like sugar.

5. Cloves:
  Cloves are known for their calmative properties which help to improve the process of peristalsis by which food moves down the stomach.
  When you put a clove in your mouth, just bite it once to help in releasing the extracts which would reach your digestive tract and immediately lower down the acid reflux.

6. Ginger:
  If you do not find raw ginger to be very pungent, you can keep a candied ginger slice in your mouth for instant relief from acidity.
  If you feel that you wouldn t be able to chew raw ginger, you can boil it in water and drink it after it cools down.
  Ginger can be also eaten with a small piece of jaggery to help the juice reach the stomach and alleviate the acidity.

7. Mint leaves:
  Commonly referred to as  pudina , mint leaves are known for lowering the acid content and improve digestion.
  If you feel that an acid attack is imminent, you can chop down a few mint leaves and boil it in water and drink the solution for eliminating bloating problems.

These few Ayurvedic remedies can help in soothing acidity along with its other symptoms.

Acidity - 6 Amazing Home Remedies That Can Help!

Gastric acids are chemicals provided by your stomach to aid digestion. But the corrosive effects they induce are counteracted by the secretion of other chemicals. It is when the secretion of these chemicals is impaired that it leads to damaged stomach lining, causing acidity, also known as acid reflux.

Ayurveda promises some easy home treatments for acidity which are quite efficient in ensuring fast recovery for you. You can use any of these listed Ayurvedic treatments if you suffer from acidity.

1. Amla powder (Indian Gooseberry) and honey
 
Soak one teaspoonful of amla powder in half a cup of water. Add honey and stir and drink empty stomach in the morning. Repeat similarly for the evening.
 
2. Cumin seeds

You can reduce cumin seeds to their powder form, then you have to add half a spoon of it to water; presumably, one liter. Then, keep the solution boiling then filter it. You will have to make sure that you drink this solution instead of normal water. Take this water based solution everyday till recovery. This is quite an effective remedy for acidity.
 
3. Mulethi (liquorice) and honey
 
You can reduce liquorice root to powder, then to half a spoon of this powder add little honey to form paste. Lick to consume this paste twice daily after meals. Liquorice neutralizes the acids quickly to give relief.

4. White pumpkin juice
 
Take white pumpkin peel and slice it and make a pulpy juice out of it. Half a cup twice daily gives fast recovery from gastritis and acidity. Alternatively you may eat sweet made of pumpkin (peetha ki methai) after meals.
 
5. Buttermilk

You can take half a glass of buttermilk and add a pinch of each asafetida and turmeric to it. With it, also take care to add a tiny amount of fenugreek and drink it at night, to make the most of its benefits.

6. Jaggery

You can try taking boiled ash gourd with jaggery. This relieves the burning sensation in the stomach to a considerable extent.

6 Ayurvedic Home Treatments For Acidity

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